Identify A Key Issue In The US Healthcare System

Identify A Key Issue In The Us Healthcare System

Persuasive Speech 1. Identify a key issue in the U.S. healthcare system that requires you (as a current or emerging leader) to make critical decisions about it. For some examples of healthcare issues, see the Forbes article “The Five Biggest Problems in Health Care Today”. Select ONE issue that you would like to address in your persuasive speech (the issues are NOT limited to the ones in the Forbes article and can include any other issues you may think of). Do some research on the selected issue to determine its scope, current and future consequences, and potential (realistic) solutions. As a leader, take a position on the issue and defend your decision in light of your leadership philosophy. Prepare a persuasive speech in which you would need to a) explain the severity of the issue and its current (or potential) consequences, b) propose ONE solution to address the issue, and c) justify your choice of the solution. Record a 5-10 minute video of your speech. Use visual aids of your choice and be as creative as you can. The main goal of this project is to apply the theory learned in class to how to become an effective leader and influence others without relying on formal power and authority, but utilizing your social capital, expertise, and ability to grasp the complexity of the situation.

Paper For Above instruction

The healthcare system in the United States faces an array of challenges that demand urgent and effective leadership intervention. Among these, the rising cost of healthcare and lack of access to affordable services stand out as critical issues that compromise the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans. These problems are deeply interconnected, impairing the capacity of the healthcare system to deliver equitable, efficient, and timely care, thus necessitating dynamic leadership strategies that are rooted in both ethical considerations and practical solutions.

To fully comprehend the gravity of the issue, one must examine the scope of rising healthcare costs. The United States consistently spends more on healthcare per capita than any other country, with expenditures reaching over $12,000 annually per person as of recent estimates (CMS, 2022). This inflated cost burden results from multiple factors including administrative expenses, high prices for medical services, inflation in pharmaceutical prices, and the overutilization of unnecessary procedures (Song & Kolstad, 2020). Consequently, a significant portion of the population is either underinsured or uninsured, leading to disparities in access to essential health services. For example, the Kaiser Family Foundation (2023) reports that despite Medicaid expansion in some states, approximately 28 million Americans remained uninsured in 2022, highlighting persistent gaps in coverage that prevent equitable access.

The consequences of these issues are not limited to individual health outcomes but extend to national economic stability. Unaffordable healthcare results in delayed or foregone care, worsening chronic conditions, and an increased prevalence of preventable hospitalizations. Moreover, the financial strain on families leads to medical debt that can precipitate bankruptcy, reinforcing socioeconomic disparities. On a systemic level, high costs and limited access diminish the overall efficiency and sustainability of the healthcare system, threatening its capacity to serve future generations effectively (Blumenthal & Collins, 2014).

Addressing these issues requires innovative, strategic leadership that aligns with ethical principles of justice and equity. Applying a transformational leadership approach, I believe that fostering collaboration among policymakers, providers, and communities can initiate meaningful reforms. My proposed solution is to implement a comprehensive healthcare affordability strategy that emphasizes price transparency, value-based care, and expanded coverage options. Specifically, I suggest establishing regulations that mandate transparent pricing for medical procedures and pharmaceuticals, which would empower consumers to make informed choices and promote market competition.

This solution is justified because transparency can directly confront the opaque pricing practices that inflate costs. When patients and providers can see clear costs upfront, it encourages competition among hospitals and pharmaceutical companies to lower prices voluntarily (Cohen & Mello, 2019). Additionally, shifting toward value-based care—where providers are rewarded for quality rather than volume—can incentivize efficient resource utilization and improve health outcomes (Porter, 2010). Expanding coverage through policy initiatives such as refined Medicaid expansion and public health insurance options further ensures that more individuals are protected from catastrophic health expenses, thus fostering equity in access.

As a leader, I would advocate for a culturally competent approach that considers the diverse needs of the population. This leadership style, combining transformational techniques with servant leadership principles, aims to motivate stakeholders toward a shared vision for a more equitable healthcare system. Emphasizing collaboration, ethics, and social responsibility, I believe this approach can build trust, drive reforms, and ultimately create a sustainable solution for healthcare affordability and access.

In conclusion, the rising costs and lack of access in the U.S. healthcare system pose serious threats to individual and societal health. Through strategic, transparent, and value-based reforms, it is possible to mitigate these challenges and promote a more just and sustainable healthcare environment. Effective leadership that aligns ethical principles with pragmatic solutions will be essential in guiding these changes and ensuring better health outcomes for all Americans.

References

• Blumenthal, D., & Collins, S. R. (2014). The American healthcare system: Perspectives on reform. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(15), 1389-1391.
• Cohen, J. T., & Mello, M. M. (2019). Transparency in healthcare pricing. Journal of the American Medical Association, 321(7), 635-636.
• Kaiser Family Foundation. (2023). Health insurance coverage in the United States. KFF.org.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (2022). National health expenditure data. CMS.gov.
• Porter, M. E. (2010). What is value in health care? New England Journal of Medicine, 363(26), 2477-2481.
• Song, Z., & Kolstad, J. R. (2020). Healthcare costs and efficiency: How the U.S. compares globally. Health Affairs, 39(11), 1964-1972.